THE Airforce of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has warned people against acquiring residential stands at the Hatfield Gold Course just a few days after residents objected to the parcelling of stands at the same area.
Harare residents recently objected to a proposal to convert the golf course in Hatfield to a residential area, claiming golf courses across the capital are under siege.
The objection follows a government notice announcing plans to transform the recreational space to 17 low-density residential stands, each measuring 2 000 square metres.
The dispute has reignited concerns over the steady loss of Harare’s green spaces. Residents and civic groups warn that recreational facilities, parks and open land are increasingly being targeted for housing development amid rising demand for urban land.
In a statement, the air force said it had come to its attention that there was public notice made in terms of section 49(4) of the Regional, Town and Council Planning Act (Chapter 29:12) for a change of reservation on the remaining extent of Lot 227 Hatfield Township from Golf Course to residential.
“The Air Force of Zimbabwe wants to warn the general public that it has always been the lawful owner of the said property and has no plans to sale or change the reservation from Golf Course to residential stands.
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“The Air Force of Zimbabwe entrenched its ownership of the property through gazzetting of the land (Hatfield Golf Course) which declared the property to be a cantonment area in terms of section 89 of the Defence Act (Chapter 11:02).
“In terms of Statutory Instrument 28 of 2026 Hatfield Golf Course is a military camp which is owned by Air Force of Zimbabwe on behalf the state.”
The AFZ also objected to any change of reservation on the property and the purported sale of the property.
“Anyone who sells or purchases the above property will be prosecuted for violating sections 89-94 of the Defence Act (Chapter 9:07),” it said.
“A copy of the Statutory Instrument 28 of 2026 and a map of the gazetted cantonment area is clearly indicated by a plan which may be inspected, free of charge, at the office of the Secretary of Defence, Defence House, Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, Harare
“The Local Government and Public Works ministry recently issued a notice under section 49(4) of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12), indicating its intention to consent to a change of reservation for the Remaining Extent of Lot 227, Hatfield Township.
The property is zoned for use as a golf course under the operative Waterfalls/Hatfield Local Development Plan Number 6.
“The notice stated that full details of the application are available for public inspection at the chief director of spatial planning and development’s offices at Makombe Building.”
Combined Harare Residents Association director Reuben Akili lodged objections to the proposal.
He also bemoaned the turning of golf courses into residential stands.
Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba warned that if the development proceeds, it will worsen service delivery in the capital. He noted that the golf course serves as both a recreational facility and a greenway.
Land barons have illegally parcelled out open spaces, wetlands and recreational facilities for residential development, often leaving home buyers with worthless claims and no services.
Harare has witnessed multiple scandals in which land barons, sometimes in collusion with council officials, allocated stands on golf courses, school fields and in cemeteries.